Alpenveilchen / Zyklamen

Season Overview

Description

Cyclamen (bot. Cyclamen) are a genus of plants in the subfamily Myrsineae, which belongs to the primrose family. The genus comprises 22 species, most of which grow in the Mediterranean climate of the Mediterranean region. Only one species, the European cyclamen, is truly native to the Alps. The German name for cyclamen, known worldwide as Zyklamen, is therefore based on a species native to the Alpine region. The best-known cyclamen, popular as a houseplant, originally comes from Asia Minor. It came to Europe from there in the 17th century and is valued here as a houseplant. Cyclamen grow in abundance and in many varieties, especially around the Mediterranean region, due to the optimal conditions there. Many species have names specific to their country of origin, for which there are several synonyms. Plants of this genus are popular because of their long flowering period and their large, stylish, and colorful blooms. Leaves The leaves of the cyclamen are long-stemmed and simple. Many species have light markings on the upper side of the leaves, giving the foliage an attractive two-tone appearance. The leaves are round to heart-shaped, with smooth to slightly noticeable serrated edges. In some cultivated and bred varieties, the leaf edges are visibly serrated or ruffled. The two-tone appearance of the leaves accentuates the dark green veins, as they are mostly located under the darker colored parts of the foliage. Depending on the species and size, the foliage of the Cyclamen genus appears disc-shaped to plate-shaped and is extremely large in relation to the flower. Flower The flowers of all cyclamen species are terminal on long stems. Cyclamen form single flowers with a smooth surface. Even though the flowers often hang down, the petals stand upright and curve upwards. The edges of the petals are wavy to smooth, with only special cultivars exhibiting strong ripples or serrations. In nature, cyclamen bloom in white, pale pink to pink, or red to purple. The popular indoor cyclamen are available in two-tone shades, some with strongly accentuated edges. Depending on the species, the upward-curving petals reach a length of between three and ten centimeters. As indoor plants, cyclamen bloom from September to April. Fruit Cyclamen have capsule-shaped fruits. During growth, the stem curves inwards and sinks the capsule fruit into the ground. All cyclamen species form fruits that only open after sinking and thus underground. The fruits are inconspicuous and often unrecognizable due to their growth in the soil. The fruit stalk deforms into a spiral shape during the ripening period. Growth The Cyclamen plant genus grows herbaceous, is perennial, and forms disc-shaped tubers as survival organs. Cyclamen differ in terms of growth height and width, as well as in the size of their leaves and flowers. A striking feature of all species of the genus Cyclamen are the large leaves that grow above the ground on short stems. The significantly longer flower stems clearly tower above the foliage. The height depends on the species, location, and environmental conditions. Most species reach an average height of 30 to 50 centimeters. Dwarf species reach a maximum height of ten to twelve centimeters. Use Some species, such as the spring-flowering early spring cyclamen (Cyclamen coum) and the autumn-flowering ivy-leaved cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium), are winter-hardy in Central Europe and are planted in shady spots in gardens. The most well-known are the cultivated varieties of Cyclamen persicum hybrids. They cannot tolerate frost and are kept as houseplants in cool rooms. The leaves and tubers are poisonous due to their content of cyclamine, a saponin. The plant also has medicinal uses.

Growing tips

🌼 Pre-cultivation - Best time: late winter to spring - Cyclamen germinate slowly (at least 4 to 6 weeks). - Fresh seeds germinate best. - Optional: Soak in lukewarm water for 12-24 hours - Use a fine, loose, humus-rich substrate. - Dark germination: indoor cyclamen 0.5 cm (seeds) Garden alpine violets 2-3 cm (tubers) - Moisten substrate well, avoid waterlogging. - Temperature: 15-18 °C. - Location: bright, no direct sunlight. - Moisture: evenly slightly moist. - Cover (foil/hood) possible, ventilate daily. - Prick out as soon as the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves - Keep cool and bright. - Slowly acclimatize young plants to normal room air. - Only fertilize when they are well rooted. - First flowering after 12-18 months, depending on the species. 🌱 Location & soil - Light: Indoor alpine violets: bright, no direct sunlight (east or north window). Garden alpine violets: Partial shade-shady, no direct sun (edge of shrubbery). - Temperature: cool! 12-16 °C ideal. Garden alpine violets hardy to -10°C / -20°C - Soil: rich in humus, slightly loamy, calcareous, well drained. - Moisture: keep rather dry during the dormant phase. - Planting distance: 15-25 cm depending on species 💧 Watering - Always water indoor cyclamen from below to prevent the bulb from rotting. - Keep the soil slightly moist, avoid waterlogging. - During the dormant period (summer after flowering): significantly less water. 🌸 Flowering & care - Flowering time depending on species: fall to spring. - Remove faded flowers and yellow leaves, do not cut. - Fertilize lightly every 2 weeks during the flowering period. ❄️ Overwintering - Indoor alpine violets: keep in a cool place, water little. - Hardy species (e.g. Cyclamen coum, Cyclamen hederifolium): ◦ Hardy in the garden, but need well-drained soil and possibly leaf mulch. - Many hybrids are not hardy and are only suitable for summer outdoors. 🌿 Good neighbors - Ferns, purple bells, Christmas rose, primrose, Waldsteinia, fairy flower, funkia, bergenia - Wild garlic, woodruff, mint (pot) - Rhubarb, chard, chives, lettuce - Hazel, rhododendron, azalea, cornelian cherry, dogwood, rock pear, elderberry ❌ Bad neighbors - Ivy, periwinkle, forest stonecrop, geranium, ysander, sunflower, coneflower - Thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, lavender, olive herb, limb herbs, hyssop - Tomatoes, peppers, chili, eggplant, potato, pumpkin, zucchini, melon, beans, peas, cabbage, rape, turnips - Bamboo, cherry laurel, thuja, privet, maple, cypress, walnut 🦠 Diseases - Gray mold (Botrytis) - Powdery mildew - Fusarium wilt - Burning spot disease (Cryptocline) - Viral diseases (mosaic) - Root rot 🦟 Pests - Cyclamen mite - Aphids - thrips - spider mites - weevil - fungus gnats 🧪 Frequent problems - Yellow leaves: too warm or too wet. - Rotting: waterlogging or watering over the bulb.

Details

Light requirement

Semi-shaded

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Dark germinator

Germination temperature

15 - 18 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

20 cm

Row spacing

20 cm

Seeding depth

2.5 cm